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Lung cancer remains a serious health threat with less than one in five patients still alive 5 years after diagnosis. This is mainly due to the lack of modern treatment options for the majority of patients, which still receive classical chemotherapy. However, Emilio Casanova and Herwig Moll from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Cancer Research (LBI-CR) and Medical University of Vienna (MUV) now describe in the journal Science Translational Medicine that the established drug Afatinib may prove an unexpected therapeutic option for many patients.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive form of blood cancer that frequently develops in children. The diseased cells often carry mutated forms of a specific gene, which is known to function within large protein networks. Applying a combination of highthroughput proteomic and genomic screens in AML cells, researchers at CeMM and LBI-CR identified a protein of this network crucial for the survival of the cancer cells.

We are grateful to our partners and sponsors for enabling an impressive scientific programme with many outstanding international colleagues. The presentations included updates about tumour surveillance, new therapeutics and super enhancers. We had many fruitful discussions and due to the generosity of the sponsors we could include many junior researchers to participate in this meeting. Joining into scientific discussions with leaders in their field of research will foster their scientific education.

The Tasmanian devil faces extinction due to devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), which is transmitted between individuals by bites during fighting. Cancer cells do not usually transmit between individuals. To unveil the molecular underpinnings of DFTD, we designed an approach that combines sensitivity to drugs with an integrated systems-biology characterization. Sensitivity to inhibitors of the ERBB family of receptor tyrosine kinases correlated with their overexpression, suggesting a causative link.

Knowledge about the causes of cancer, and interventions to prevent and manage the disease is extensive. Cancer can be reduced and controlled by implementing evidence-based strategies for cancer prevention, early detection of cancer and management of patients with cancer. Many cancers have a high chance of cure if detected early and treated adequately. Nevertheless research can contribute significantly to help cancer patients to fight the disease.